Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 37
Of perfection at Death.
Quest. 37. VVHAT benefits do Believers receive from Christ at their Death?
A. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass in…o glory; their bodies being still united to Christ, do re…t in their Graves till the Resurrection.
Q 1. What is the state of perfect holiness?
A. It consists in a perfect freedom from sin, or any of the least inclination to sin. Eph. 5.27. That he may present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Q. 2. Wherein else doth perfection consist?
A. It consists in the attainment of the highest measures and degrees of holiness the creature is capable of. Eph. 4.12, 13. For the perfecting of the Saints, — till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Q. 3. Cannot this be attained whilst in the body?
A. No; for here all our graces are imperfect. 1 Cor. 13.12. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. And we live at a distance from God. 2 Cor. 5, 6. Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
Q. 4. How is this attained at Death.
A. At Death the roots of Sin are pulled up out of the Believer's Nature. Heb. 12.23. And to the spirits of just men made perfect.
Q. 5. Why must the Soul be m…de perfect at death?
A. Because the purity of the heavenly State admits no sin or imperfection. Rev. 21.27. And there shall in no wise enter into it; any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye; but they which are written in the lambs book of life.
Q. 6. What is the first Inference from hence?
A. That Death should be lovely and desirable in the eyes of Believers. Phil. 1.23. having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.
Q. 7. What is the second Inference?
A. That God hath provided singular relief for his people that now groan under their Sins, and many Imperfections. 1 Cor. 13.12, 13. And now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known.
Q. 8. What is the third Inference?
A. That the heavenly State is infinitely above and beyond whatever we enjoy here. 1 Cor. 29. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love hiem.
Q. 9. What is the fourth Inference?
A. That Believers are but at a small distance from the Satisfaction of all their desires. Rom. 13.11. Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Q. 10. What is the fifth Inference?
A. That the Saints should earnestly pursue that perfection, even in this imperfect state. Phil. 3.13, 14. Brethren, I count not my self to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press towards the mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus.
Q. 11. What is the sixth Inference?
A. That death to the Saints is better than life. Phil. 1.21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Q. 12. What is the last Inference?
A. That Faith is absolutely necessary to entitle us to this perfect state.
Of immediate Glorificacion.
Quest. 1. DO all that die in Christ immediately pass into glory?
A. Yes, they do. Luke 23.43. To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Phil. 1.23. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.
Q. 2. What is the First reason for their immediate Glorification?
A. Because Heaven is pepared and ready for them. Mat. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Q. 3. What is the Second reason for it?
A. Because at Death they are as ready for Heaven as ever they shall be. Iohn 9.4. I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work.
Q. 4. What is the Third reason for it?
A. Because Death else could not be gain, as it is. Phil. 1.21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Q. 5. What is the Fourth reason for it?
A. Because there is the same reason for all, as for any one: but some are immediately glorified. Luke 23.43. To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
Q. 6. What is the Fifth reason for it?
A. Because Christ longs for their coming to him, and they for his Enjoyment; and these longings are in vain, if not satisfied. Rev. 22.17, 20. And the spirit and the bride say, Come, and let him that heareth say, Come; and let him that is a thirst say, Come; and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely; he which testifieth these thidgs, saith, Surely, I come quickly, Amen, even so, come Lord Iesus.
Q. 7. What is the First instruction from hence?
A. That the Apparitions of departed Saints ordinarily are but Fables. They wander not. Rev. 3.12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.
Q. 8. What is the Second Inference?
A. That Purgatory is a groundless Fable, and invention of men; and the Scriptures alledged to countenance it, grosly abused. 1 Pet. 3.19. By the which also he went and preacht unto the spirits in prison.
Q. 9. What is the Third inference from it?
A. That Heaven must needs be a marvellous surprize to Believers, how long soever they have conversed with it here.
Q. 10. What is the Fourth inference?
A. The consideration of this should provoke Saints to work hard to finish all they have to do on Earth. Eccles. 9.10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest.
Q. 11. What is the Fifth inference?
A. That there is no reason to grieve excessively for departed Saints. 1 Thes. 4.13. Even so them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him.
Q. 12. What is the last Inference.
A. That Christless ones are immediately in Hell. Luke 16.22, 23. The rich man also died, and was buried, and in Hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment.
Of rest in the Grave.
Quest. 1. WHY must Believers come to the Grave?
A. Because where Sin has been. Death by the Law must follow. Rom. 5.12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Q. 2. What is the First priviledge of their Bodies there?
A. 'Tis the priviledge of their Bodies to be there in union with Christ. 1 Thes. 4.14. Them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him.
Q. 3. What is their Second priviledge?
A. Their Graves are places of Rest; not Prisons, but Beds of Rest. Isa. 57.2. He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
Q. 4. W…at is the First evil they rest from?
A. All the toils, and troubles, and afflictions of this life. Rev. 14.13. They may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.
Q. 5. What is the Second evil they rest from?
A. They rest from all persecutions from men. Iob 13.17. There the wiked cease from troubling, and there the weary be at rest.
Q. 6. What is the Third evil they rest from?
A. They rest from Sin, never to feel temptation or inclination to sin. Heb. 12.23. And to the spirits of just men made perfect.
Q. 7. How long shall the Bodies rest in the Grave?
A. Not for ever, but till the Day of the Resurrection. Iob 19.26. For though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
Q. 8. What is the First inference from hence?
A. That union with Christ redounds to the singular advantage of the Body as well as the Soul. Rom. 8.11. But if the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.
Q. 9. What is the Second inference?
A. That Death dissolves not the union betwixt Christ and the Souls or Bodies of his. Mat. 22.33. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Q. 10. What is the Third inference?
A. That seeing our Bodies are to have so long and so sweet rest in the Grave, we should not spare them in God's Service now. 2 Pet. 1.13, 14. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this Tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle, even as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed me.
Q. 11. What is the Fourth inference?
A. That Christians should neither too much fear their own, nor sorrow for others death. Rom. 8.38. For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, — nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1 Thes. 4.13. I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.
Of the Resurrection.
Quest. 1. IS the Resurrection a credible Doctrine?
A. Yes, it is. Acts 26.8. Why should it be …ought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the …ead?
Q 2. Why then doth it seem incredible to man?
A. Because they err, not knowing the Scriptures, and …he Power of God. Mark. 12.24. Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? The Power of God assures us it may be so, and the word of God tells us it must be so.
Q. 3. Is it sinful to doubt of the Doctrine of the Resurrection?
A. 'Tis not only a sin to doubt it, but an heresy to deny it, it being a fundamental Article. Heb. 6.2. And of the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor. 15.13, 14. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be …t risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also …in.
Q. 4. Who must rise again at the Resurrection?
A. All men, good and bad, must rise again. Acts 24.15. And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Rev. 20.12, 13, 14. And I saw the dead …all and great, stand before God, &c.
Q. 5. What is the first difference betwixt the Resurrection of the just and unjust?
A. Saints rise by virtue of their union with Christ. Rom. ….11. But if the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead well in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also …uicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you. But … wicked by his power.
Q 6. What is the second difference?
A. The second and main difference will be in the contra…y ends to which they rise, some to life, and some to condemnation. Dan. 12.2. And many of them that sleep in the …ast of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some … shame, and everlasting contempt.
Q. 7. What is the glory to which Saints bodies shall … raised?
A. In the likeness of Christ's glorious Body. Phil. 3.21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to … glorious body.
Q. 8. What is the First inference from hence?
A. That every man should strive to the uttermost to attain to the Resurrection of the just. Phil. 3.10, 11. That I may know him, and the power of his Resurrection, and the fellowship of the sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Q. 9. What is the second Inference?
A. Comfort to them that now groan under manifold Distempers, and Deformities of Body; they being made equal to Angels. Mark 12.25. For when they shall rise from the dead they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the Angels which are in heaven.
Q. 10. What is the third inference?
A. Get union with Christ by Faith, as you expect a joyful Resurrection. Iohn 11.25. Iesus said unto her, I a… the resurrection, und the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Q. 11. What is the fourth Inference?
A. Saints should not fear Death. Gen. 46.3. Fear not to go down into Egypt.
Q. 12. What is the last Inference?
A. Imploy your Bodies for good now.